Self-Care

Caring for the world around me can be difficult when I struggle to care for myself. How can I put energy towards combating climate change or separating plastics from trash, when I already face so much difficulty in maintaining a proper meal plan and even waking myself for class? But Earth Day is so much…

The recent losses of Parkland and Sandy Hook massacre survivors remind us that the long road to recovery requires a strong support system and community connectedness in order to survive the mental injuries of tragedy and loss. Our hearts and prayers are with these victims and their families today and always, but, that’s not enough….

Summer Moss, who brought an Active Minds chapter to her campus at Samuel Merritt University, shares insight on the ‘Faces of Mental Health’ video series produced at SMU this year. ﻿﻿ What inspired you all to produce this video series? In January we had a workshop around Self Care for the Healthcare Professional featuring the…

When my heart begins to race and my thoughts run cloudy with irrational and targeted thoughts, I often find myself reaching for my phone, for my music, for the songs I grouped into a category boldly labeled panic attack playlist. There are endless songs that can help one get through a panic attack, but when…

The idea of having an animal living with you at school excites many students, because who wouldn’t want to have a pet at college? But my rabbit is not just my pet at school. He is my emotional support animal. Some may say that I’m just bringing my pet to school but I disagree. I…

“Instagram? Back in my day, we called our friends on the phone to see what they’re up to.” It’s a quote I’ve heard more than once from parents and family friends older than me. With the rapid rise of social media, our methods of staying connected to one another and understanding the world around us…

Summer is in full swing! It’s time to find out if months of waiting and planning will pay off to make this summer one to remember! Like an over-reviewed blockbuster, sometimes summer can be overhyped. I know for me, while struggling with anxiety and depression, summer would sometimes become an anxious scramble to have as…

I really want one of those dainty sideways crosses for Valentine’s Day. You know the ones that are super popular and so so pretty? They symbolize something really important to me. I also expect to be able to take a nap and be swooned a little bit. It’s a luxury and a privilege to banter…

It’s that point in the semester again. The pages of your agenda are filled with due dates of midterms, papers, and group projects. The amount of hours you sleep dwindles and the cups of coffee you consume skyrocket. You manage to go to your 9 am lecture while running on four hours of sleep and…

Everyone has advice for you when you first go to college: Avoid taking 8 am classes. Go to every class. Learn how to resolve conflicts with roommates. Don’t schedule more than an hour between classes. etc. etc. Freshman year was hard for me. I had moved out of state, was going to a school where…